Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Several months ago I reported that Olympic gold medalist Carl Lewis (left) was considering a run for the New Jersey legislature. Today we learn Assemblyman Pat Delaney, the GOP incumbent in Lewis' district, has abruptly resigned after it was revealed that his wife had sent Lewis a racist email.

The text of the email: "Imagine, not having to pay NJ state income taxes...It must be nice. Imagine getting a court ruling overturned so your name could get put on the ballot. Imagine having dark skin and name recognition and the nerve to think that equalled (sic) knowing something about politics. Sure, knowing someone with fat purse strings is nice, but you have no knowledge." Delany said he was "deeply disappointed in my wife's decision to send that email," adding: "In an attempt to repair the serious damage this has caused to our marriage, and to protect our kids from public humiliation, I decided to leave public life. On behalf of my family, we sincerely apologize to Mr. Lewis for any pain this caused him."

State GOP officials accepted Delaney's resignation, saying they would have had to withdraw their endorsement had he chosen to stay in the campaign. The Lewis campaign is feigning disinterest in the entire scandal.